Why Us | The Black Phone

Chapter 1

-Third Person POV-

It started as a joke, something that could only happen in movies or shows. There was no way there would be a careless leak in some large chemical plant.

Except... it wasn't a joke. It wasn't some fake scenario from a movie. It was real. All too real.

It really does happen on a day that starts like normal. Completely unexpected. Couples going on dates. Kids going to their favorite parks. Adults picking up their morning coffee and heading to work.

Normal. You don't wake up and think, "What if there's a zombie apocalypse today?"

The boys went on about their days, starting like normal.

They had just finished eating at the diner a few blocks down the road from the school.

Bruce and Vance decided to head off first, agreeing to go to the arcade before Bruce's next game.

Finney left next, saying he promised Gwen they would prep dinner together.

Robin went off to the skate park to practice some tricks.

Billy gave Griffin a bike ride to his house before heading home to take his dog on a walk.
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-Griffin-

I waved bye to Billy. He gave me a ride home so I "wouldn't be walking alone." It's really no wonder I liked him. I couldn't have gotten luckier to have him.

I open the front door, "Moooooooooom! I'm home!" I call out.

I put down my going-out bag and open it in search of my flashlight and my pocket knife, I carry them around like crazy but my shorts didn't have pockets today.

"Mom?" I called out again, stuffing my knife into my pocket and placing my flashlight on the entrance table. She didn't answer the first time, which is unusual for her. She was a doting mother.

I start walking to the living room, the TV is on but she's not there. I sigh and turn the TV off.

Guess I'll just take a nap. She probably went to the store really quick, though I don't remember her mentioning it.

I walked down the hall, dragging my fingers along the wall, and into my room. Kicking off my shoes and falling onto my bed as soon as I get there. I don't bother with the blanket and just start drifting off. I was really tired. Today was eventful.
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-Third Person POV-

They went on about their days. Completely normal.

Vance and Bruce had just started leaving the arcade when they heard the screaming. Their joke came to an abrupt stop when they saw someone get tackled to the ground. A girl screamed for her mom as she watched the woman fight to throw off a man.

They were confused as they started walking over to help, until a hand grabbed Bruce's ankle and pulled him down. Bruce screamed as he was met with a grotesque and decaying face.
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Robin had heard some distant screams but he assumed it was some kids pulling a prank or something. He was too busy falling on his ass trying to learn tricks to care. Placing on his headphones, he continued skating.
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Finney and Gwen were finishing up dinner prep when they heard the faint screaming. They didn't understand what was going on so they took to watching a cartoon after they'd finished dinner prep.

As their dad came running into the house and calling out for them in a panic, they began to worry, looking at each other in confusion as he kneeled on front of the couch. Holding their hands in his, he began thanking God.
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Billy had just come back from his walk with Tessa. He gave her some treats, as he always did, before heading to the living room.